CBI accuses Salim of misusing official post

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CBI has accused chief minister’s former gunman Salim Raj of misusing his official capacity for grabbing land.

A remand report filed by the CBI in its special court here on Wednesday following the arrest of Salim Raj and others in the Kalamasserry and Kadakampally land grab cases also said about six agreements used for grabbing land were drafted in his name, which confirmed his direct involvement.

According to the CBI, government guest houses were misused by him for hatching conspiracy.

The guest houses were booked citing official reasons and he held meetings with other defendants there on several occasions.

Many crucial decisions regarding the conspiracy were hatched there. The remand report also said the land grabbing activities began in 2005 and it continued till 2013.

Though the CBI report did not directly mention the misuse of official capacity as chief minister's gunman, the CBI sources said that Salim Raj, who was a low ranking police official, might have misused his position to obtain rooms in government guest houses and influence officials.

Meanwhile, a CBI team led by additional SP Y Harikumar quizzed him and others. The involvement of more persons, including politicians, were suspected in the scam.